
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: A co-worker recently was diagnosed with oral cancer after a nagging cough led him to the doctor. It got me wondering about the incidence of head and neck cancer and what I should be screened for. I'm in my mid-40s and try to be mindful of getting an annual physical.
ANSWER: There are many types of head and neck cancers, which is a broad category used to describe any cancer that starts in the head or neck, including the mouth, nose and throat.
Head and neck cancers account for nearly 4% of all cancers in the U.S., according to the National Cancer Institute. These cancers are more than twice as common among men as women and are diagnosed more often among people over 50.
Alcohol and tobacco use, including chewing tobacco, are among the top causes of head and neck cancer, especially cancer of the mouth, pharynx and voice box. However, there has been an increase in throat cancer in recent years in people who do not smoke or drink.
Data from the American Cancer Society indicates the cause is due to HPV, a sexually transmitted infection that is thought to affect almost 80% of all adults at some point in their lives.
The most common head and neck cancers include:
Treatment for head and neck cancers can vary depending on the size, location and type of cancer. Surgery is common, and there are now minimally invasive operations, such as transoral robotic surgery and transoral laser microsurgery. Patients also may receive chemotherapy, immunotherapy or targeted drug therapy as well as radiation.
If reconstructive surgery is required, patients may experience changes in their ability to talk or eat. Rehabilitative services often are available to help patients in their recovery.
There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing head and neck cancer, including:
Your primary health care team can help you determine what screenings might be needed, especially if you are experiencing symptoms that could indicate a head and neck cancer. You also can visit a specialist, known as an otolaryngologist. — Dr. Samip Patel, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
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